Manchester, Michigan Public Records

Felony cases, major civil litigation exceeding district court limits, divorce, family law matters, probate, and estate administration are handled by the Washtenaw County Trial Court (22nd Circuit Court) at the Washtenaw County Courthouse, 101 East Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (phone: 734-222-3270). Michigan court records are accessible through the statewide Case Search portal at courts.michigan.gov/case-search, which provides free online searching of civil, criminal, and traffic cases by party name or case number for most Michigan courts including Washtenaw County venues. Certified copies of court documents cost $10 plus $1 per page after the first page at the 15th District Court, and $10 for certification at the Circuit Court level. The clerk's offices accept requests in person, by mail, or by phone with payment by cash, check, or credit card. Older records may require advance notice for retrieval from archives, and some confidential case types including juvenile matters and certain family court files have restricted public access under Michigan court rules.

The county provides a free online property search tool at gisappsecure.ewashtenaw.org/ParcelViewer where users can search by address, parcel number, or owner name to view assessed values, property characteristics, tax information, sales history, and parcel boundaries on an interactive GIS map. The Washtenaw County Register of Deeds, also at 200 North Main Street, Suite 120, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (phone: 734-222-6655, website: www.washtenaw.org/280/Register-of-Deeds), records and maintains official land records including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other instruments affecting real property title in Manchester and throughout the county. The Register of Deeds provides free online document searching and viewing at www.washtenaw.org/DocumentSearch for records dating back to the 1820s, with images available for most documents recorded since the county's founding. Users can search by grantor, grantee, document type, or legal description. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. The office also maintains plat maps, condominium records, and survey documents. Manchester property owners can access their property tax bills and payment history through the Washtenaw County Treasurer's website, and the county's GIS portal provides aerial imagery, zoning information, and flood plain data useful for property research.

The village's downtown along Main Street (M-52) features locally-owned retail shops, restaurants including the historic Manchester Inn restaurant and tavern, professional services, and banks. Manchester benefits from its location along a major state highway connecting Ann Arbor to Jackson, attracting pass-through traffic to local businesses. The median household income in Manchester is estimated at approximately $55,000 to $65,000, somewhat below Washtenaw County's overall median which is elevated by high-income Ann Arbor suburbs. While Washtenaw County's economy is heavily influenced by the University of Michigan and healthcare sectors centered in Ann Arbor, Manchester maintains a distinct rural character with agriculture and light manufacturing playing more significant roles. Recent development has included residential subdivisions serving families seeking affordable housing within commuting distance of Ann Arbor, as well as investments in historic downtown building renovations. The village's economic development efforts focus on preserving its small-town character while supporting existing businesses and attracting compatible new enterprises that fit Manchester's community scale and values.

The Manchester Police Department, located at 400 City Road, Manchester, MI 48158 (phone: 734-428-7575), provides law enforcement services within the village limits. Residents can request police reports and incident records by contacting the department directly during business hours or submitting written requests under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. The department handles routine patrol, traffic enforcement, and local criminal investigations within Manchester's municipal boundaries. For matters outside village limits, the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 2201 Hogback Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 (phone: 734-994-2911, website: www.washtenaw.org/sheriff), provides law enforcement services throughout unincorporated areas of Washtenaw County and assists Manchester Police with major incidents. The Sheriff's Office maintains jurisdiction over county jail operations, court security, and civil process serving. Arrest records and jail bookings for Washtenaw County are searchable through the Washtenaw County Jail inmate roster at www.washtenaw.org/297/Jail-Information, which displays current inmates with booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and mugshots when available. Michigan public records requests are governed by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq., which requires government agencies to respond to written requests within five business days and allows fees for copying and labor costs. Requesters can submit FOIA requests to the Manchester Police Department or Washtenaw County Sheriff for incident reports, arrest logs, accident reports, and booking records, though certain investigative materials and confidential information may be exempt under statutory exceptions.

Michigan vital records can be ordered online through VitalChek at www.michigan.gov/vitalrecords, by mail with a completed application form and payment, or in person at county clerk offices. Processing time is typically 3-4 weeks for mail requests and immediate for in-person requests at county offices. The Washtenaw County Clerk's Office, 200 North Main Street, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (phone: 734-222-6655, website: www.washtenaw.org/279/County-Clerk), serves as a local agent for vital records and issues marriage licenses for Manchester residents. Marriage licenses cost $20 with a $10 discount for couples who complete premarital counseling, and there is no waiting period. The license is valid for 33 days from issuance. Marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk and searchable back to the 1800s. Divorce records are court documents maintained by the Washtenaw County Trial Court (22nd Circuit Court) and must be requested through the court clerk. Michigan law restricts vital records access to the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and those with demonstrated legal interest, with valid government-issued photo identification required. Birth records less than 100 years old and death records less than 50 years old have additional privacy protections under MCL 333.2882.

Washtenaw County does not impose a general business license requirement, but businesses must comply with zoning regulations administered by the Washtenaw County Planning and Environment Department at 705 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 (phone: 734-222-6800). Fictitious business name (Doing Business As) registrations are filed with the Washtenaw County Clerk, 200 North Main Street, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (phone: 734-222-6655), at a cost of $10 and must be renewed every five years. Business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and partnerships are registered with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) through the Corporations Division. The state maintains a free searchable database at www.michigan.gov/corpentitysearch where users can look up business entity status, registered agents, business addresses, and filing history for all Michigan corporations and LLCs including those based in Manchester. Business name reservations cost $25 and entity formation fees range from $50 for domestic LLCs to $150 for domestic profit corporations. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statements for secured transactions and liens on business assets are also filed with LARA and searchable through the state system. Manchester business owners can research commercial property assessments through the Washtenaw County property records system described above, and sales tax permits are issued by the Michigan Department of Treasury for retail businesses collecting Michigan's 6% sales tax.

Manchester voters' election needs are served by the Washtenaw County Clerk/Register of Deeds, located at 200 North Main Street, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (phone: 734-222-6655, website: www.washtenaw.org/279/County-Clerk). Manchester residents can register to vote online through the Michigan Voter Information Center at Michigan.gov/Vote up to 15 days before an election, or register in person at the clerk's office, Secretary of State branch office, or designated voter registration agencies up through Election Day. Michigan requires a valid Michigan driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number for online registration. Manchester holds village elections in odd-numbered years for village council positions and village president (mayor), with the next regular village election scheduled for November 2025. Village council meetings and candidate information are available through the Village of Manchester offices. Because Michigan does not hold state elections in odd years, the November 3, 2026 general election will feature federal and state races: Michigan voters will elect a full slate of state executive offices including Governor (Gretchen Whitmer's term expires in 2027, making this a gubernatorial election year), Secretary of State, Attorney General, all 110 Michigan House of Representatives seats (two-year terms), and various judgeships. Michigan's U.S. Senate seats are held by Debbie Stabenow (term expires 2025) and Gary Peters (term expires 2027), so 2026 will not feature a U.S. Senate race unless there is a vacancy. Washtenaw County offices including County Commissioner districts will also be on the 2026 ballot. Manchester residents can find their assigned polling location using the Michigan Voter Information Center at Michigan.gov/Vote by entering their address. In the November 2024 presidential election, Washtenaw County reported approximately 64-68% voter turnout with strong participation in Manchester precincts. Michigan offers no-reason absentee voting, allowing any registered voter to request an absentee ballot online through Michigan.gov/Vote, by mail, or in person at the county clerk's office; applications must be received by the Friday before Election Day or voters can request and vote an absentee ballot in person at the clerk's office through the Monday before Election Day. Public election records in Michigan include the Qualified Voter File (voter registration lists available with restrictions for political purposes), campaign finance reports searchable at Michigan.gov/CFR for candidates and political action committees, candidate filings and petitions, and precinct-level election results available through the county clerk and Secretary of State websites. Washtenaw County publishes detailed election results by precinct including Manchester voting locations at www.washtenaw.org/481/Election-Results.